ThE CAST
Special Guest Artist
Jaquay Pearce
Jaquay (juh-kway) Pearce was first introduced to the violin at age 7, as a student in her elementary school’s strings program, and has continued training and performing since age 16. As a solo artist, Jaquay loves to perform classical crossover selections branching into genres such as pop, rock, and R&B. She has performed for several music/art festivals such a Fringe!, and Jingle Eve, as well as corporate conventions and fashion shows. Jaquay performs with several bands and singer-songwriters such as, EmiSunshine & The Rain, Crystal Bowersox (runner-up on American Idol) and Porter & Sayles (contestants on the Voice). Jaquay became a member of the string quartet Violectric in January 2017.
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Special Guest Artist
Sophia Ferrera-Mongeotti
Sophia Ferrera is a dancer, honor roll student, and dedicated community leader. She began dancing at the age of four and currently trains at Dance Town Miami in ballroom, ballet, contemporary, folklore, hip-hop, and lyrical dance styles. A veteran in dance competitions, she now performs solo routines in pageant events throughout the year. She is also an active member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Key Club International, and serves as a Junior Director for the MAST Ambassadors Club. Sophia currently holds the title of World Imperial Beauties Jr. Teen Goodwill Ambassador and is honored to be part of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
Special Guest Artist
London Paccito
Thirteen-year-old London Simone is proud to represent Pearl’s Gift in her third year in Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker. Raised in the dance studio, and having navigated through multiple disciplines, London has found her passion in the Circus World.
London recently performed in 65 shows with her aerial, acro, contortion and jump rope routines, all over New England, in a traditional mud style circus. Additional highlights include performing with Emergence Dance Company and dancing alongside Soca artist, Bunji Garlin. Her past work involves guest performing for Bindlestiff Circus NYC, and being a featured performer with DJ Khaled’s ‘Supposed to Be Loved’ music video. She is the Lyra & Silks Champion with Viva Fest Las Vegas and now competes at the Emerging Professional level.
ABIGAIL IMAAN GRAHAM
Clare
Abigail Graham is a 12 year-old Orlando native who proudly embraces her Caribbean roots. She has been training and dancing at Avalon Dance since the age of three. 2026 is her her fourth year performing in Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker, and she is thrilled to be part of the principal cast as Clare.
The Chocolate Nutcracker Prince
​Jeremy Villas studied at the Ailey School in New York, the Professional Performing Arts High School and the Juilliard School. From 2018 to 2021, he was a member of the Young Professionals Programme MOVE | NYC. He is the winner of the Jacob's Pillow Lorna Strassler Award for Student Excellence 2024 and National Young Arts Winner 2021. He has danced in works by Kyle Abraham, Aszure Barton, Amos Ben-Tal, Sharon Eyal & Gai Behar, William Forsythe, Roderick George, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, and others. Jeremy Villas has been a member of the Staatsballett Hannover since the 2025/26 season.
Yesenia Fider
Sugar Plum Fairy
Yesenia is an accomplished actress and model whose recent work includes featured roles in advertisements produced by Universal Studios. With a strong foundation in both performance and classical technique, she brings artistry and discipline to every project she undertakes.
Beginning her ballet training at the age of ten, where she studied the Cecchetti method, she later advanced her training at Brevard Ballet where she refined her technique in the Vaganova style.
After graduation, Yesenia will be attending college on scholarship, pursuing a double major in biology and performing arts with a specialization in classical ballet.
SHANICE BRANTLEY
Snow Queen
Shanice is a dancer born in Hollywood, FL and raised in Central Florida. She found her love for the art form very early, dancing at home and eventually beginning her dance career at the age of 5 studying Ballet and Tap.
During her middle school career Shanice joined the Championship team, Fusion, a competitive dance team at the Millennium Middle School of Performing Arts in
Sanford, FL where she danced in the competitive large group and advanced group. Today, Shanice dances on the 41x National Champions, Dazzlers dance team at Seminole High School in Sanford, FL, honing her technique to dance on a Collegiate dance team after her High School career.
Shanice is also a student at Avalon Dance Studio where she is continuing to study and advance her formal technical training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Acro.
Makhari Lozeille
Mouse King
Makhari, also known as Khari, is an energetic, outgoing and loving young performer with He has been moving to the rhythm since he could walk and began formal training at the Orlando School of Cultural Dance at just four years old, where he discovered his love for African dance.
Since then, Khari has expanded his talents by performing in a variety of productions, including NuLook’s Summer Show, where he explored and embraced styles such as hip-hop, ballet, and Caribbean dance. His dedication and passion have taken him to cities and states across the country, performing in award shows and competitions.
Now celebrating his sixth year as part of The Chocolate Nutcracker, Khari will proudly take the stage as The Mouse King and perform in several other scenes alongside the show’s beautiful and talented cast. His vibrant spirit and love for dance continue to inspire everyone who watches him perform.
Sunniej Jackson
Clare's Aunt Pearl
Sunniej is President and Founder of The Empowerment Network Foundation, CEO of GLS Multimedia Group, and owner and CEO of the GLS TV Plus Network, “The Gloss,” on the Roku platform, promoting independent media.
She has been an Executive TV Producer/Director for over 20 years and a writer and former site editor on Bella Online, the voice of women. She continues to work in numerous capacities, including hosting, acting, writing, producing, and directing. Other talents include artist management, event coordination, promotions/marketing, as well as judging numerous pageants and talent showcases.
BRANDON K.I. HERRING JR.
Clare's Brother Fritz
Brandon K.I. Herring, Jr. is a 12-year-old Orlando Native with Nigerian and American Roots. Brandon's aspirations include musical theater, acting, modeling, fashion design, and digital media. Brandon is currently a 7th Grader in Howard Middle School's Academy of the Arts (an OCPS Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts). Brandon has participated in various classes at Dr. Phillips Center's AdventHealth School of the Arts in Drama, Musical Theater, & Broadway Jazz. He has modeled in Set It Off Production's Kids Fashion Shows, as well as participated in CPMS Orlando All-Stars ECHOES Summer Theatre Troupe. Brandon is SO Excited to be a Part of the 2026 production of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
Carlisle Cannarella
Clare's Sister
Carlisle is thrilled to be returning to Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker, this time in the role of Clare’s Sister! An ‘A’ honor roll student, Carlisle also has a wide range of interests and activities that keep her booked and busy including: Jiu Jitsu, Cheer, Scouting, Piano, Church Youth Group and of course, the Ballet Master Class with Orlando Community Arts! She feels blessed to be a part of the cast and is having so much fun with her Orlando Community Arts family bringing this spectacular and culturally important show to life! She would like to thank: God, Her Mom, Dad and brother, Nixon, her Grandparents and Godparents and her extended family and friends for always supporting her! “Praise HIM with… timbrel and dancing…” Psalm 150:4
Ezra Ben Kaniyah
Drummer
Ezra Ben Kaniyah was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He has 20+ years of drumming experience under the leadership of Sunshine Lee, Weesie Braimah, Atur Eleeahsah, Asaur Owens, & Caph Geui. This is Ezra's fourth season with Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
